Snook Tips

Snook Tips

* Fishing at night for snook can be very productive. You will want to look for lights on docks and along seawalls that are close to the water. Snook will lurk just outside the light in the shadows and dart out into the light when they see a meal swim by. Since small bait fish are attracted to the light and they are the snook's favorite meal your chances of finding snook around any light are pretty good. Just be very quiet and present your bait in a natural way.

* Anglers fishing from a seawall, dock or bridge that don't have a light, can dangle a lantern, (gas or battery powered or even a bright flashlight just above the water's surface. Once the light attracts the baitfish, the snook won't be far behind. However, a location such as a dock that has a light permanently attached and is consistently on will be more likely to hold snook.

* When the water temperature drops into the 60s snook may move up small tidal creeks and canals for warmer water. They can tolerant freshwater and will move into these regions for brief periods of time. Look for them to be in the deepest holes you can find and hope they are hungry.

I prefer to use medium to medium fast rod with an open-face spinning reel. I recommend also using an 8 to 20 pound test line with a 20 to 60 pound monofilament leader or shock-line to land your fish. The heaver leader line is to reduce the risk of the side gill plates cutting in the line (which are like a razor blade that can cut the line or your fingers so be careful).

Snook can see your leader line and will be cautious if they detect it, so going smaller and lighter helps but you also risk losing your fish. Snook are strong fighters. When fishing in areas where there is an abundance of cover, stick to tackle at the heavier end of this range. This fish is noted for its ability to run towards submerged structures and cut you off.

Snook like to rest in an eddy and wait for the moving water to bring them food. For this reason, you will find anglers fishing for snook where the tidal flow is strong and there are eddies for the fish to use.